No Fargas, Higgins

Welcome to Arrowhead Stadium, where running back Justin Fargas and receiver/punt returner are on the inactive lost for today’s Raiders-Chiefs game.

Raiders coach Tom Cable hoped Higgins could at least field punts but his sprained shoulder isn’t a go. That means free safety Hiram Eugene will return punts for the first time since at least junior college in 2002.

Fargas is a healthy scratch. Cable didn’t want to carry more than three running backs, and Louis Rankin had to be No. 3 because he’s returning kickoffs (Nick Miller is out 4-6 weeks with a fractured shin).

Rankin may do more than return kicks, given the Raiders’ luck here last year. Fargas and Darren McFadden left the game with injuries, putting Michael Bush into duty as the third back.

In other pregame notes …

Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel will start after missing the opener with a knee injury, ESPN is reporting this morning.

With the Patriots last season, Cassel was 18 of 30 for 218 yards, four touchdowns, one interception and a 108.1 rating. Let’s see what he can do without Randy Moss and Wes Welker on his side.